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American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We enjoy the American history game U.S. President Go Fish for studying homeschool history.

And we love History For Kids Go Fish Game series a lot, and with a good variety of history topics we can easily add them to several studies.

American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

Today is all about the U.S. Presidents Go Fish and how to use it.

Also, we are going to take this game and build an entire presidents unit study around it with books, hands-on activities, and videos that will help you dive deep into it without cracking open a curriculum box.

About the U.S. Presidents Go Fish Game

Moreover, the U.S. Presidents Go Fish game is a simple game to add to a presidential unit study.

I like it because it is a quick play game that will pack a lot of educational punch.

Too, it comes with a little mini book that gives instructions and plays like traditional go fish but you collect all 4 presidents from each category (cold war, industrial revolution, reconstruction, etc.).

Or kids can collect presidents by guessing them correctly based on the hints on the card the other player gives.

You can take it on the road, use it in place of your lesson for the day or add it to your morning basket to help start the day.

The one drawback is that as of this date, it only includes the first 44 presidents.

American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

Additionally, look at this list of books to use as a unit study spine or for your learning day.

Books about U.S. Presidents

10 Resources about U.S. Presidents and The White House

Here are some books to add to a presidential unit study that cover a good variety of ages.

Furthermore, add hands-on activities.

Hands-on Ideas for a President Unit Study

For example, use the Safari Ltd US Presidents busts to introduce and build excitement to the start of a new topic or for art inspiration.

American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

Create your own bust with Crayola Air Dry clay and a flashcard of a president for a model.

All you need is some clay and a toothpick and craft stick to carve and add detail.

American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

Any age can use these but I like that the scrabble tiles are so versatile and don’t seem babyish like some letter tiles might for older kids.

Instead of writing out spelling and vocabulary words use letter tiles. Call out words you would like your child to learn and let them do it with the letter tiles instead of paper.

This activity is easy to modify for any age level by simply using easier or more difficult words.

American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

 In addition, here are some vocabulary/spelling words to get you started and let your younger children put them in alphabetical order.

  • President,
  • election,
  • politics,
  • republican,
  • democrat,
  • ballot,
  • veto,
  • federal,
  • constitution,
  • monument, and
  • executive.
American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

Besides playing the U.S. Presidents Go fish according to the directions you can also use them to create a timeline by pulling 5 or 6 random cards and having your child place them in order.

American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study

More Fun History Games

Look at them below.

Furthermore, add some American Presidents board games.

4 American Presidents Board Games

Play a fun board game like one of these below to learn about presidents, elections, and politics.

Finally, videos are always a great way to present information in a fresh new way as well as take a little of the teaching responsibility off your shoulders.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When teaching history, sometimes you have to come in sideways or use games that teach geography. I have more fun game ideas for teaching history on my Kids History Games Boosts Learning & Promotes Critical Thinking page.

For example, gameschooling has become one of the most popular methods for teaching your child.

It doesn’t matter if you gameschool exclusively, unschool, use a packaged curriculum, online lessons, or put together unit studies.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

Games that teach geography can be added to your day and teach so much through playing and enjoying time together.

First, you can build an entire lesson or even a full unit study around a game.

I’m sharing one of favorite games for learning geography.

Besides geography and history can go hand in hand.

Too, I’m showing you other items and activities to add to keep the lessons going as long as you want.

Everything from movies to books, a few more games, and other items helps to round out a geography or history slant or both.

What is Geography

The word geography comes from the Greek geo, which means “Earth,” and graphy, which means “writing or description.

So, geography means to learn about  the Earth’s land its surface, and features including water and air.

However, geography also includes learning about the people of the area, understand landmarks, and appreciating cultural differences

Immediately, you can see a tie in between learning about the natural resources of an area and the people.

Additionally, look at some of these hands-on geography ideas.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

Finally, be sure to check out my post on the 100 Best Books From All 50 States

Hands-on Geography

If you have been around for any length of time you know I am a fan of these Toobs for Safari Ltd.

This USA Landmarks and Symbols set is perfect for learning about symbolism and important places throughout the United States.

Use them as drawing inspiration, in sensory bins for younger children, as part of a diorama, or use them as game markers.

Fun History Games

Too, look at these games below which can be games that teach geography with history.

In addition, look at these fun books and resources to help U.S. geography more lively.

10 U.S. Geography Resources

If you're looking to teach U.S. geography in a hands-on way, you'll love adding one or two of these resources to your day or study.

As you can see combining geography and history is a natural fit.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

Finally, look at how to play the scrambled states of America.

Scrambles States of America

First, The Scrambled States of America is a silly colorful game which introduces states as a game that requires observation and quick reflexes.

You collect the state cards, match them with neighbors, and more.

And you win by familiarizing yourself with the state cards you’re dealt.

Then, you try to be the quickest to respond to action cards like – capital that starts with D or a state that is south of Colorado.

It even comes with a small copy of THE Scrambled States of America Book. Fun.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

While this game probably is best for middle to upper elementary. I definitely think that it is still fun for middle school kids.

It is a gentle approach to learning US Geography for anyone that needs to learn or refresh what they already know.

I don’t really have a con for this game except that older kids may feel that it is baby-ish.

However, if they can get past that it’s a great learning tool for the whole family.

How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, how to upcycle a monopoly game history turned medieval monopoly game is a fun twist to learn history. Also, look at the other history games on my page.

Have you ever looked at an old board game in your stash or maybe at a yard sale and think about upcycling it? Me too.

How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

So, I took an old unused monopoly game that we had and converted it into a medieval themed version with castles for properties.

Also, I added Safari Ltd Knights and fun cards with references for the time period.

Since, we are learning about the Middle Ages so for this game I decided to make it medieval themed.

However, you could take this idea and make it match any branch of history you want to include in your studies.

How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

These super fun Safari LTD Knights and Dragons have been used for sensory bins, dioramas, block play, counters, and now game pieces.

Teaching Medieval History

Next, look at some of these medieval facts to use in your unit study.

  • Most of the peasants wore plain clothing which was made from heavy wool to keep them warm in cold weather. The wealthy, of course, wore nicer clothing made from fine wool, velvet, and silk.
  • Not many people attended school in the Middle Ages. Most peasants learned a job and survival from their parents, apprenticeship, or the guild system.
  • London’s population went up 500% between the 12th and 14th centuries.
  • Marriages were often arranged. Noble girls were often married at just 12 years old and the boys at 14.
  • We got our modern piggy banks from medieval people who had saving accounts termed “pygg” meaning the type of clay the jars they were kept in were made from.
  • The first castle in England was the Tower of London’s White Tower Castle.
  • The largest castle in the world is The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork.
How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

Hands-on Middle Ages Activities

In addition, look at some hands-on activities.

Also, here are some rules I want you to know about before you turn a monopoly game board into a medieval themed board.

Monopoly Medieval Themed Board Rules

First, rather than collect Boardwalk, Park Place and the other familiar properties. we are going try to collect Medieval Castles from all over Europe.

Also, try to collect some cool Medieval collections like banners and a library and see who ends up with the most spoils at the end.

I used as much of the board as possible and stuck with the same rules to make it easier to transition to a new game. 

The property stickers will fit right under the colors so you can keep them and I made the matching property cards so players can keep track of the properties they own.

You can add a little color to the top of the cards with markers if you like to make it easier to spot them.

The rules are pretty much standard monopoly, including whatever house rules you would like to incorporate.

For example, house rules like whoever lands on free parking gets the money in the center, allowing players to buy property on the first trip around the board.

I have left out houses and hotels to simplify and keep with the time period and I did away with rent on the properties with the exception of when a card is drawn from chance or community chest which requires rent.

Too, grab my other fun history games to add to your learning day.

Fun History Games

Look at them below.

How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

Now, let’s look at how to make the game.

How to Make A Monopoly Game to Medieval Game

You will need:

  • An old monopoly board
  • Sticker paper
  • Cardstock
  • Knight figures
  • paper cutter
How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

We are reusing the board, money, and dice.

If you like you can keep the community chest and chance cards to glue your new cards to so that the backing is stronger and will be easy to identify the stack,

If not, you can just write a C for chance or CC for community chest on the back of the card.

First, we painted over the Monopoly in the center.

Later we will add some of the stickers which I included in the printables to decorate it some. Sand it a bit so the paint sticks better. If you like, you can leave the center of the board as is.

How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

Too, each printable I created tells you whether it should be on cardstock or sticker paper.

Use them for creating the new board labels.

Cut out all of your cardstock and sticker pieces, you can use scissors but a paper slicer makes it easier.

How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

Place all your sticker labels on the board/

The collar amounts correspond with the correct spot.

Additionally, free parking is free steed parking.

Socks is jail, go to the stocks is obviously the go to jail spot.

Besides, you can place the Medieval Collections on any of the railroad spots, as well as the two utilities.

How To Upcycle A Monoply Game to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

Setup your game board just like you would for traditional Monopoly.

And use your knights, dragons, etc. as your moveable tokens.

How To Upcycle a Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables

What a fun way to learn about Medieval times.

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Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have an Ancient Egypt diy mummification process game. You’ll love the other History Games I have on my page.

If you are studying Ancient Egypt and need a great hands-on activity to help teach your child you’ll love this mummification process game.

Yes, we made a game for that.

Games are an incredible way to learn something new.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

And games reinforce a topic that you are learning.

Now, I’ve bought all kinds of ready-made games.

However, creating your own game from the ground up and including your child in the process is the best way to learn.

 I came up with this game that doesn’t require any special items and let’s your child be in charge of the game creation.

Creating the game will help the facts that they learn stick in their head better.

Benefits of Game Playing

Also, it will help teach your children research skills and give them a sense of pride in accomplishment.

I wanted to be sure it included more than just the history of this Ancient Egyptian ritual.

For younger children rolling and adding dice is a simple way to also incorporate math into your day.

They will learn or reinforce anatomy lessons through the anatomy drawings and labels.

I created a printable with the basic rules and values for the dice numbers rolled.

Creating the game requires reading, writing, and art skills

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Before you begin use videos, resources, and books from your personal collection or borrow them from library to learn about the mummification process.

Fun Ancient Egypt Resources

This will make creating the cards much easier and give your child an understanding of the why.

Here are a few resources and activities that you might enjoy along with this diy mummification process game.

  • These Toob Organs are a great teaching tool not only for anatomy but here in Ancient Egypt Studies. Also, they can be used for inspiration when drawing the organ cards. We have also used them in making large canopic jars as well.

There is also the Ancient Egypt Toob that can be used for art inspiration, sensory bins, dioramas, and so much more.

Let each child be responsible for creating their own set of cards for when you play

More Fun History Games Resources

Look at them below.

Depending on their age and ability level they may create the entire card on their own or may need some assistance.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

They will be tickled with their own contributions to the game.

You don’t need anything other than the cards and dice but the props sure are fun to set the

How to Make a Mummification Process Game

Here is what you will need:

  • White cardstock
  • Colored cardstock
  • Paper slicer
  • Glue stick or double sided tape
  • Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
  • 2 dice
Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

First, cut white cardstock into 3 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles. You will need 9 for each player.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Then cut 9 of one colored cardstock for each child to 3 ¾ ” x 4 ¾”.

Write or instruct your child to write one of each of these phrases on the top of each of the 9 cards:

  • 1-Wash body and remove organs
  • 2-Remove brain through the nose
  • 3-Place lungs in canopic jar
  • 4-Place intestines in canopic jar
  • 5-Place stomach in canopic jar
  • 6-Place liver in canopic jar
  • 7-Fill body and cover with salt for 40 days
  • 8-Wrap body in linen bandages
  • 9-Place body in sarcophagus

Next, encourage them to draw something to represent each of these steps.

I encourage a bit of silliness if it has something to do with what they are trying to accomplish for the step.

Use markers, crayons, colored pencils, or whatever they like to make it fun and colorful.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Here is a look at some more of the cards we created.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Glue the white completed cards to the colored cardstock to make it a bit sturdier.

Write the step numbers on the back of each card so they can easily be lined up for play face down.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Below is a printable with the rules and the assigned “value” for each dice combination.

You can choose to roll one or two dice depending on which numbers you need.

For instance, if all you are missing is a #1 you would want to roll only once die to attempt to get the number you need.

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Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

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Games in the past can be a unit study or add to your history lessons. You’ll love the other history games I have too.

Do you ever wonder about people of the past spent their days?

Backgammon is one of the oldest games known right up there with chess.

It is thought to be about 5,000 years old or more and believed to have developed in Mesopotamia which is now known as Iraq.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

If you are going to study a period of history, one great way to do that is to study the way they lived, how they passed their days, and interacted with one another. 

Also, you can do that through playing games.

It’s even better if you create your own version.

Today, I’m showing you how to make your own easy to create and store version of  the game backgammon.

Games of the Past Ancient Mesopotamia

Nobody quite knows where the name actually came from.

However, historians believe that it came from Middle English: baec – back and gamen-game.

It possibly evolved from the Royal Game of Ur and is known as the game of kings.

There is a lot of historical literature and art that portrays people playing backgammon.

The boards that are very similar to today’s versions which we have developed and still play.

Next, add some historical facts.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

And hands-on ideas to make studying about games in the past fun.

Facts about Ancient Mesopotamia

  • Mesopotamia is the ancient Greek name  for the region that is the modern day area that is now Iraq and parts of Iran.
  • It was considered part of the cradle of civilization because so much .
  • Mesopotamia means 0the land between two rivers( Tigris and Euphrates).
  • Many theologies and political systems developed out of Mesopotamia.
  • Here the earliest writing system, cuneiform, was created.
  • The Sumerians from this area are credited with inventing the wheel.
  • The first law codes like the code of Hammurabi and the Code of Urukagina were created here.
  • Mesopotamia is located in the area that archaeologists call The Fertile Crescent, called so because of the rich soil beds from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  • There is very little of ancient Mesopotamia that still stands because they made their buildings out of sun-dried bricks that didn’t last as long.
  • A lot of what we do know today is found out from clay tablets that were found in the library in the city of Nineveh.

Too, I’ll list some hands-on ideas below.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

In addition, you’ll love these other history game resources on my site.

Other Fun History Games Resources

Look at them below.

And look below here for hands-on activities.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

DIY Backgammon Game

Here is what you will need:

Finally, look below at how to make this DIY backgammon.

  • File folder
  • 2 colors or patterns of cardstock
  • Ruler
  • 30 small items- blocks, buttons, coins, flat beads, etc…
  • 2- six sided dice
  • Glue stick

To create the long narrow wedges (points) you want to first create a template so you only have to do the measurements once. 

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Then, cut cardstock down to a rectangle with the height being 5”.

This is a good length for your points on a file folder.

After measure 1” across the bottom from the left  and make a small pencil mark to create your 1” width.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Next, on the top left corner mark ½” over and make a mark to create the point.

Use a ruler to draw the line from each mark at the bottom to the point at the top for the elongated triangle.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Cut your template out and use it to trace and cut 12 of each of your chosen color or patterned cardstock.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Open the file folder and glue down alternating color wedges.

Put 6 on either side of the fold. Repeat on the other side of the folder.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Allow the glue to dry completely before closing the folder.

You can use anything you have on hand for your checkers if two different colors or other identification for each player.

For example, buttons, small erasers, coins, tiny figures, checkers from another game, etc..

I found these tiny little unfinished squares and painted half (15) gold and left half unfinished.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Store them in a ziploc bag with your dice and tape to the back of your file folder if you like.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Grab several file folders and challenge your child to invent their own file folder game for today’s civilization.